Basic Steps in Discipline

You can use the following steps as a guide to imposing an oral or written warning or suspension on the employee:

• Inform the employee that he or she has engaged in specific conduct that is unacceptable and that certain conduct is expected of the employee. Refer to the specific rule or policy.
• Explain that the improper conduct must stop.
• Discuss the negative consequences that will occur if the employee fails to change unacceptable behavior and the possible positive consequences of changing the improper behavior.
• Explore the reasons for the unacceptable behavior.
• Develop an action plan that you and the employee agree on to change the unacceptable behavior.
• Document the disciplinary process.